Thomas remembered as a cowboy

U.S. Senator died of leukemia on Monday

CASPER, Wyo. -- U.S. Sen. Craig Thomas was remembered Saturday as a Wyoming cowboy who was didn't let the Washington political scene influence him.

About 20 members of Congress, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, attended the funeral service for the Republican who died Monday after a fight with leukemia. He was 74.

More than 1,000 people overflowed from the First United Methodist Church where Thomas' health problems first surfaced about seven months ago, when he became lightheaded during a Sunday service. Thomas was diagnosed with leukemia a few days after he won re-election.

"He was a simple, humble son of Wyoming, and he remained one to the end," McConnell said.

McConnell said he never met a man who was changed less by "what the world calls riches or power than Craig Thomas."

Katelynn Thomas talked about her grandfather's influence.

"We learned a lot from him, how to treat others, how to honor your word and what it means to serve others," said Thomas, who just graduated from high school. "He was a true Wyoming cowboy and had the discipline and the love and the humility of a Christian man."